About Blue Reef Snorkeling Vest

Getting ready to go on a tropical vacation to Saint Somewhere or maybe the Florida Keys would be nice, whatever it is if there is warm water you've got to go snorkeling! Enjoying snorkeling includes be comfortable and safe when in the water. Using a snorkeling vest increases safety and comfort. The bright orange or yellow color allows watercraft operators to recognize that people are in the surrounding water and to keep clear, it also allows people to see you easily for pick up by your own watercraft.

More importantly you remain comfortable when enjoying the wonders of the reef. The snorkeler can orally inflate and deflate the volume of air in the vest to their requirements. Add just a little air to use it as a "pillow" under your chest to help hold your head and snorkel above water. Fully inflate in stressful situations to relax and rest. Deflate by yourself to return to surface diving activities. Fits comfortably over the snorkeler's head and secures firmly to the body with two adjustable straps.

The Blue Reef Snorkeling Vest is commonly used for Recreation, Snorkeling, Warm Water and more. The Blue Reef Snorkeling Vest is most used by customers who consider themselves to be a Advanced, Beginner, Casual/ Recreational, Novice Diver, Recreational Diver among others. The Blue Reef Snorkeling Vest is popular because customers like the following qualities of the Blue Reef Snorkeling Vest: Easy To Use, Functional, Improves Diving Experience, Lightweight, Solid Construction.

I've read reviews and it sounds like there are different styles out there. The units I purchased are the orange Blue Reef snorkeling vest - purchased in May'12.

If you're looking for a snorkeling vest where you float around on the surface and watch the fish - this vest is perfectly functional.

If you plan to occasionally free dive to take a closer look at a critter or some coral, deflating the vest is a pain. You have to use the extra tab on the edge of the cap to push down on the spring-loaded crosshairs inside the tube. The tube diameter is too small to access the valve with your pinky. If you lose the cap, you'll need something the size of a ball point pen to open the valve. This is basically a two hand operation - one to hold the inflator tube while you use the tab on the cap to push the spring loaded crosshairs further into the tube.

I'm looking at modifying mine so I'll have a button that projects out beyond the end of the tube, so I can push on the button to deflate the vest.

Material and quality of build are average, and at the sale price, it's a decent buy. The vest provides excellent functionality for surface swimming, but the poor deflator design makes it unsuited for free diving without modification.

We used these for snorkeling on vacation last week, and they worked great. Easy to inflate and deflate. Before the trip, I did cut approximately 6 inches off the strap that goes between the legs as it was a little too long for me, and I didn't want so much extra strap hanging down. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this vest again.